Many diapers, one dissertation

Hello. I’m Ai.
I am a mom of two little girls, who just finished the long winding journey of a PhD student life at the University of British Columbia.

In this blog, I would like to share with you what I’ve learned about balancing parenthood and PhD studenthood.

From coping with pregnancy, overcoming parental guilt for sending a child to daycare, having a clutter-free home life so that you won’t go nuts, to juggling housework and deadlines (and keep your sanity), and successfully finishing your PhD.

Here is a quick timeline of my doing diapers and dissertation.

I started my PhD study, Fall 2009.

Married, Fall 2010.

Was super sick during my pregnancy in early 2011.

Did my comps and proposal defence in August 2011 and became a PhD candidate.

Gave birth to my first daughter in September 2011.

Took 4 months of parental leave.

Start data collection in August 2012.

Worked on my first draft but got super sick during my second pregnancy in early 2014.

Gave birth to my second daughter in August 2014.

Took 1 year-parental leave.

Wrote wrote wrote…and defended March 2017.

So yes…it took me a long time to finish, and there are a few things I would have done differently if I was to do it all over again (no, I don’t want to do it all over again).

My hope is that by sharing the lessons I learned, this blog would support mom/dad (to be)-PhD students wherever there are along their long winding journeys. Hopefully, many dissertations will be completed!

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Welcome!

Hello. I’m Ai.
I am a mom of two little girls, who just finished the long winding journey of a PhD student life at the University of British Columbia.

In this blog, I would like to share with you what I’ve learned about balancing parenthood and PhD studenthood.

From coping with pregnancy, overcoming parental guilt for sending a child to daycare, having a clutter-free home life so that you won’t go nuts, to juggling housework and deadlines (and keep your sanity), and successfully finishing your PhD.
Let the journey begin!

Sincerely yours,
Aixoxo

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